A Japanese spacecraft has recently crash-landed on the Moon, marking the second unsuccessful landing attempt for the Tokyo-based private firm ispace. The HAKUTO-R Mission 2 (M2) lander, also known as Resilience, initiated its landing sequence from a 100-kilometer-altitude orbit on June 5th at 3:13 am local time. The planned landing site was near the center of Mare Frigoris (Sea of Cold) at 4:17 am.
Unfortunately, the ispace team lost contact with the M2 lander when it was just 192 meters above the lunar surface, descending at a faster rate than anticipated. Despite attempts to reboot the craft, communication could not be reestablished. The primary issue identified was a failure in receiving real-time distance measurements between the lander and the Moon’s surface, resulting in the inability to decelerate and achieve the correct landing speed.
Experts, such as Clive Neal from the University of Notre Dame, believe that the mishap likely stemmed from a systems malfunction that was not rectified following the failed M1 landing attempt. However, they remain optimistic that the necessary adjustments can be made for future missions to ensure a successful lunar landing.
Had the M2 lander achieved a safe landing, it would have marked a significant milestone as the second time a commercial company landed on the Moon and the first instance for a non-US entity. ispace’s previous Mission 1 (M1) encountered a similar fate during a landing attempt in April 2023.
In preparation for the M2 mission, ispace’s chief technology officer, Ryo Ujiie, addressed telemetry issues from the M1 mission and implemented software modifications. Additionally, careful consideration was given to the landing approach for the M2 craft.
The M2 lander was equipped to support various scientific endeavors, including supplying power for water electrolyzing equipment, a food production module developed by Japanese companies, and a radiation probe from Taiwan’s National Central University. Additionally, the mission included the deployment of the Tenacious rover, designed to collect data and images on the lunar surface.
The M2 craft was launched on January 15th from Cape Canaveral, Florida, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. This launch also carried the Blue Ghost Moon lander developed by Firefly Aerospace, which successfully landed on the Moon in March.
Looking ahead, experts anticipate a rise in private companies attempting lunar landings, with partnerships between government agencies like NASA and commercial entities becoming more prevalent. The collaboration between these entities enables cost-effective development and deployment of lunar missions.
In conclusion, while the recent crash-landing of the Japanese spacecraft on the Moon is a setback for ispace, it serves as a valuable learning experience for future missions. The quest for lunar exploration continues, with advancements in technology and collaboration driving the next wave of space exploration endeavors.
